A shouting match between coaches cleared the benches in a rare testy spring training game, and Pedro Alvarez homered twice, including a grand slam, as the Pittsburgh Pirates teed off on the Philadelphia Phillies for an 18-4 victory Monday.

It seems like this has become an annual pilgrimage, as Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin visited Bradenton and Pirates Spring Training camp on Monday. On his visits, Tomlin normally has a chuckle with the media, catches up with his pal Clint Hurdle and takes in a workout, game or both. But as he was there on Monday, it got me thinking … what if Tomlin had to, legitimately, select someone out of Pirates camp to take to St. Vincent?

Former Pirate Kevin Young knows the defensive transition Pedro Alvarez is going through. The Pirates hired Young and he has spent all Spring Training as a special assistant helping Alvarez and the other first basemen get ready for the season.

Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington said there was some miscommunication and Charlie Morton’s start on Saturday was not make-or-break and that Morton is ready to go following hip surgery in September.

The Pirates first round pick in 2013 Reese McGuire thought he was just coming over to McKechnie Field Saturday to work as a bullpen catcher, but he ended getting to pinch-hit in the major league game and doubled in his only at bat.

As the roster narrows approaching Opening Day, 25-year-old Pirates outfielder Jaff Decker is still here and hope his familiarity with the team will make the decision on the final outfield spot hard on manager Clint Hurdle and GM Neal Huntington.